On Jan. 9, 1788 Connecticut was the 5th official state to enter the US. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. No Republican presidential nominee had won Connecticut since 1988 when George H.W. Type of Charter and Colony Because the charter was granted to a company, it was a Corporate Charter, which made Connecticut a Charter Colony. Six of the counties are named for locations in England, where many early Connecticut settlers originated. The economy of the people was based on the export of rum, ship building, and other manufacturing projects. Did you know when and where the first hamburger in the United States was made? Roger Sherman went on to represent Connecticut in the First U.S. Congress and later the U.S. Senate. Each episode is an animated rap music video focusing on the big cities, history, landmarks, and significant geographical areas of each state. The Connecticut Colony was founded by Puritans and there was no tolerance for other religions. Yale University was the first school in the United States to offer a PhD. By 1645, the settlements of Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford had united to form River Colony, which became known as Connecticut. Connecticuter Mary Kies (17521837) was the first woman to receive a U.S. Patent; it was for a new technique of weaving straw with silk and thread. Orange, Connecticut, is home to the PEZ factory, which includes a collection of PEZ dispensers. Without warning or hesitation, a signal was given and every candle was blown out at the same time leaving the colonists and Andros standing in complete darkness. 6. River Colony, New Haven Colony, Saybrook Colony, Connecticut Colony, Thomas Hooker, Pequot War, King Philip's War, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Warwick Patent, Warwick Patentees, House of Hope, First Connecticut Code, First Anglo-Dutch War, New England Confederation, Dominion of New England. The first lollipop was invented in Connecticut. In the area, only Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller than Connecticut. George W. Bush is the only U.S. president, to date, born in Connecticut. Connecticut was named for an Algonquin word meaning "beside the long tidal river." All rights reserved. Look to the trees and you might see bald eagles, eastern bluebirds, redheaded woodpeckers, or rare Connecticut warblers. This is our collection of basic interesting facts about Connecticut Colony. Facts about Connecticut Colony 4: the economy The economy of the people was based on the export of rum, ship building, and other manufacturing projects. Therefore, there was no religion freedom in this colony. In 1650, Connecticut signed a treaty with New Netherlands that defined the borders between the two colonies. Explore its rich history, delicious food, & unique culture with our fun Boston facts. Here are some facts about each of the 13 colonies. Despite the poor soil and farming conditions, colonists in the Connecticut Colony were able to grow some crops including beans, corn, pumpkins, squash, and rye. Benedict Arnold Arnold was from New Haven, Connecticut. However, he betrayed his country when he conspired to surrender West Point to the British. Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor are referred to as the River Towns and formed the River Colony. Andros came down and confronted the assembly that was gathered in Hartford. The settlers were Dutch, having arrived from New Netherlands (present day New York). See the complete list of the 50 states and their borders here. Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut was one of the only colonial governors to side with the patriots during the American Revolution. Both the Dutch and English settlers founded settlements in Connecticut in the early 1630s, and the land soon became a British colony. He played an important role in the Battle of Quebec and the Saratoga Campaign. Famous inventions from Connecticut include the can opener, submarine, and the telephone book. This group was responsible for the establishment of the town of Hartford, which went on to become the capital of the colony. Ralph Waldo Emerson once hailed Boston as the "happy city by the sea." The Connecticut Colony (aka Colony of Connecticut, Connecticut River Colony or River Colony), was established on March 3, 1636. . The Connecticut Colony was one of the four New England Colonies which also included the New Hampshire Colony, the Massachusetts Colony, and the Rhode Island Colony. The fact lists are intended for research in school, for college students or just to feed your brain with new realities. 8. A total of 9 men and women were executed for witchcraft in Connecticut. Connecticut enacted the first constitution in America. Designed in the early 20 th century by stage actor William Gillette (he was apparently the first to portray Sherlock Holmes), this medieval Gothic structure hides secret passageways, spying mirrors, and other interesting and whimsical elements. The Connecticut Colony climate was the same as the other New England Colonies which included long cold winters and mild summers. As a result, they're made up of both salt water and fresh water. Whaling was important to the colonists as it provided oil for lanterns. Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. American History Central is an independent encyclopedia of American history. Even though the people could not grow wheat, they could plant squash, rye, pumpkins, corn and beans here. He wrote many of his best-known works while living there, including. Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Providence Colony (also known as Providence Plantation, modern-day Providence, Rhode Island, USA) was a settlement established in 1636 CE by the Puritan separatist theologian and pastor Roger Williams (l. 1603-1683 CE) after he was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.Williams objected to a number of policies pursued by Massachusetts Bay, as well as Plymouth Colony, especially the fusion . Fun Facts about Connecticut Counties. [5] Hold on to your hats! 7. Climate The New England region of Colonial America was the coldest of the three regions. It ripped the Congregational church in half with those supporting the teaching of the Great Awakening being called New Lights and those not supporting it is called, Old Lights.. Connecticut Colony known as the River Colony was organized on March 3, 1636, as a place for Puritan noblemen. Connecticut is home to the Cushing Brain Collection, which houses over 400 human brains. The word Connecticut is derived from the Native American word quinetucket, meaning besides the long, tidal river. 1. The weather made it difficult for disease to thrive, unlike in the Southern Colonies where the heat often helped diseases to spread rapidly. Connecticutis the29th most populousand the48th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. In 1687, a colonial hero hid Connecticut's royal charter in an oak tree when the king tried take the charter back. Hartford is considered as the major city. The war resulted in decimation of the Indians. Date Granted King Charles II granted Letters Patent to John Winthrop and a group of businessmen in a charter on April 23, 1662. Massachusetts Bay Colony was settled in 1630 by a group of Puritans from England under the leadership of Governor John Winthrop. Upon his taking the throne, King James II demanded that Connecticut give up the charter granted by Charles II in 1662. Allen is most well known for leading an expedition to capture Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775. Bush carried the state. While investigating facts about Connecticut Colony Religion and Connecticut Colony Government, I found out little known, but curios details like: The first European settlement in the Connecticut Colony occurred in Windsor, and then in the Hartford and Wethersfield areas in 1633. John Winthrop Jr. or John Winthrop the Younger was the first Governor of Saybrook Colony. The state is named after the Connecticut River, which bisects the state and is a major river in the U.S. It later became known as the "Charter Oak". The Connecticut Colony colonists prospered in several different sectors including shipbuilding, whaling, fishing, timber, fur trading, livestock, and maple syrup. Interestingly, Mr. Roosevelt was also the first president to own a car and have a telephone in his home. Connecticut's state song today is 'Yankee Doodle'. Connecticut earned its nickname "the Constitution State" because its home to what some consider the United States first written constitution: the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, adopted in 1639. 1701 - Yale University is founded in New Haven. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. See the complete list of the 50 states and their borders here. The first known inhabitants of the region we now call Delaware were the Lenni Lenape and the Nanticoke, tribes that combined to form the Nanticoke. 2023 Fact Retriever LLC. Also Read: Facts About the New Hampshire Colony. It had the ability to remain submerged almost indefinitely because it used nuclear fuel and no air. 5Webster, Christine. [5], 32. The New England Colonies included Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Check facts about Colonial slavery here. Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated his invention (the telephone) in New Haven. Did you know that between 1790 and 1890 over 20,000 patents had been granted to over 5,000 Connecticut inventors (including 44 women). Additionally, the charter created Connecticut as a separate colony. [22], 37. The Constitution State is part of an area called New England, and Barry learns how Connecticut played an important role in America's founding as an independent nation. The colonists did eventually allow themselves to be absorbed by a larger colony and when they did they chose Connecticut. Sample pancakes made on the colonial hearth and smother them with syrup. The Connecticut Colonys economy began in the 17th century with subsistence farming, as the initial settlers were primarily concerned with providing food to feed themselves and their children. Connecticut State Symbols Trivia. Natural Resources Access to rivers and the coast made fishing and whaling popular. Puritanism has a well-earned reputation for theological rigidity. The famous Revolutionary War traitor, Benedict Arnold, was born in the town of Norwich, Connecticut, in 1741. Religion The first English people to settle in Connecticut were Congregationalist Puritans. Once the candles were re-lit the charter, which was laying on the table in view of everyone, was now gone. The settlers were one of the first colonists to treat the Native Americans honestly and justly. The first people came to the area thats now Connecticut more than 10,000 years ago. One of the valuable sources in the Connecticut Colony was the whale oil. Although there was not any internal conflict during the American Revolution, that does not mean that the Connecticut Colony did not feel the Revolution on its own soil. The Eastern Upland in the east is filled with hills, rivers, and dense forests. 3f. Connolly, Frank B. Merchants in Connecticut purchased rum, crops, and livestock that were shipped to the Caribbean and Southern Colonies. Find facts about colonial Virginia here. Only three people were killed. Get facts and photos of the U.S. states and territories, and the District of Columbia. He had this idea of putting candy on a stick so that it is easier to consume. It spans 5,567 square miles and is home to 3.6 million people. [16,17], 18. Yankee Doodle is the official state song of Connecticut. It was organized on March 3, 1636 as a settlement for a Puritan congregation. Arriving in 1614, the first settlers in the state were the Dutchmen. Long Island Sound, on Connecticut's southern border, is an estuary. They bought the land that they settled from the natives. Discover more with our fun Chicago facts. Two years later, in 1664, New Haven merged with Connecticut. Possible use cases are in quizzes, differences, riddles, homework facts legend, cover facts, and many more. Hartford Public High School in Hartford, CT is the second-oldest public secondary school in the U.S. 1. The colony was named Connecticut colony. However, the mountains were filled with lush trees. Fact 1- It was founded by Thomas Hooker and others, at Hartford. GuinnessWorld Records. Please note that this site uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse web traffic. In 1638, he gave a sermon that inspired the River Towns to develop the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first written constitution in America. The New Lights were in a precarious situation because they were not actually dissenters since they still attended the Congregational Church. Updated on April 24, 2021. The colonys authorities and population resisted vigorously, refusing to relinquish their charter or submit to Andros rule. Several thousand years later, Native American tribes including the Mohegan, Pequot, and Niantic lived in this region. The soil was rocky, which made it difficult for farmers to cultivate fields and raise certain crops. On March 30, 1638, New Haven Colony was established near Quinnipiac, west of Saybrook, on the southern coast of Connecticut. The Orders served as the basis for the government of Connecticut until 1662 when the colony received its charter from King Charles II. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which date back to 1639 and are widely regarded as one of the earliest examples of a written constitution anywhere in the world, were penned by Connecticuts founders. With a total of 10,565 square miles (27,337 . It is due to the fact that during the revolutionary war, Connecticut sent many supplies and cannon to the Continental Army. Photograph by Kristy Durbridge, Dreamstime, Illustration by National Geographic Kids Mountain laurel: Jill Lang, Dreamstime American robin: Thomas Biegalski, Dreamstime Sperm whale: Lagarde Sebastien, Dreamstime.com. The Connecticut Colony was an English colony until 1776 when it joined the rest of the colonies in the rebellion to gain independence from Great Britain. It's fairly sparsely populated, as the state's total population is smaller than some cities in the US. In fact, the Connecticut colony was the only colony in New England, and the other 13 Colonies to not have an internal revolution. The commanding officers for the patriots were General David Wooster and General Benedict Arnold. The British army was then engaged on its way back to Boston in the Battle of Ridgefield. miles (source: 2003 Census) . He settled outside of Boston and became the minister of a church in Newtown, which is present-day Cambridge. Furthermore, Connecticut had a sizable lumber sector that supplied wood for shipbuilding and export. In 1642, the Connecticut General Court established a set of Capital Laws and the second law stated, If any man or woman be a witch (that is) hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death. Five years later, in 1647, Alse Young of Windsor became the first person in the colonies to be executed for witchcraft. [14], 20. Enjoy these 47 Interesting facts about Rhode Island. he first English settlers arrived in Connecticut in 1633 under the leadership of Reverend Thomas Hooker. Fun facts & trivia . Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles. Connecticut was once known as the Arsenal of the Nation. The nickname mainly originates from the fact that during the 19th and 20th century, the state was home to many companies that manufactured firearms including Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, Sturm Ruger, Joslyn Firearms and Winchester Repeating Arms Company. However, the national average is $50,392. In addition, the charter expanded the boundaries of the colony to include what is now the state of Rhode Island as well as portions of the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. 33. By 1708 the colony adopted the Saybrook Platform which took church sovereignty away from the local congregations and placed it in the hands of a colony-wide association controlled by ministers. Connecticut would go on to play an important role in self-government due to its founder, Thomas Hooker. The state is named after the Connecticut River, which bisects the state and is a major river in the U.S. 13. Connecticuts ratification of the United States Constitution, along with the other states ratifications, signaled the foundation of the new federal government and the end of the Articles of Confederation era. In 1662, the River Colony received a charter from King Charles II, which named it the Colony of Connecticut. Thomas Hooker is known as the Father of Connecticut, even though he did not establish the first settlement in the colony. It lasted in service for 25 years. Fun Facts about Connecticut Connecticut Facts for Kids Fast Facts | Information about Connecticut Name: Connecticut (A State of USA) Capital City: Hartford Population: 3,565,287 [2019] Area: 5,567 sq mi (14,357 km 2) Languages: English Time Zone: UTC05:00 (Eastern) (Source: Wikipedia) Connecticut had an important part in the development of the United States Constitution, and its ratification aided in the establishment of the new government. Reaching to Connecticut. With this fact also learn that Stamford, Connecticut is where the headquarters of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is located. The inventor of the process of vulcanization, Charles Goodyear, was born in New Haven, Connecticut. 26. MLS # 170551750 Uncommon Laws. Be grateful! 277 Old Stamford Rd , New Canaan, CT 06840-6607 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $3,695,000. Colony Named for: from an Algonquin word, quinnehtukqut, "beside the long tidal river" Became a State: February 6, 1788 This led to the American Revolution, which lasted until 1783 when the colonies formally won freedom from British rule. The people use this oil for their lamps. Over time the colonists grew unhappy with British rule. John Haynes Haynes was the first Governor of the River Colony. In that incident 12 people were accused of witchcraft and 4 were put to death. Connecticut was a leading manufacturer of guns and other arms.[4]. If you would like to know more, please contact us. Nicknamed "The Bay State" but also known as the "Colony State," "Old Colony," "The Spirit of America," "The Pilgrim State . The Connecticut River, which forms its eastern boundary, inspired the colony's name. Industry Although farming was difficult, the settlers were able to grow corn, pumpkins, rye, squash, and beans. [18], 17. It lies in the northeastern region of the United States. The winter season was colder and longer. Despite the poor soil and farming conditions, colonists in the Connecticut Colony were able to grow some crops including beans, corn, pumpkins, squash, and rye. American History Central also displays ads from third-party networks. Visitors can even board and sail on some of the historic boats. Fun Facts. Accessed: January 29, 2021. The first public tree planting program in America was conducted in New Haven, CT. The first European settlement in the Connecticut Colony occurred in Windsor, and then in the Hartford and Wethersfield areas in 1633. The Connecticut Colony, like other New England Colonies, was an exporter of rum. The Dutch arrived in the early 1600s to a region east of the Delaware River, which flows through the eastern border of the Pennsylvania colony. Five years later Connecticut ratified, or signed, the U.S. Constitution, becoming the fifth U.S. state. Founded: 1636 by Thomas Hooker and others, at Hartford Major Industry: Agriculture (wheat, corn, fishing) Major Cities: Hartford, New Haven. Because of this volcanic activity, the area contains lots of igneous, or lava-based, rocks such as basalt. The state attainedstatehood on January 9, 1788, becoming the 5th stateto join the union. [1,2,31], 2. Learn facts about the colony during the pre-colonial and colonial periods, as well as various . King James II appointed Andros to oversee the Dominion of New England, which encompassed the provinces of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York. Connecticut was well-known for its agricultural, particularly tobacco production, as well as shipbuilding and trading businesses. As early as the year 1614, Dutch merchants had already erected a fort and trading station in the region. The Pequot were an influential Algonquian-speaking people who had resided in the area for generations. The commanding officers for the patriots were General David Wooster and, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Hartford Courant Connecticut Colony Newspaper, The History Junkies Guide to Connecticut Genealogy, The History Junkies Guide to Colonial America, The History Junkies Guide to 13 Original Colonies, The History Junkies Guide to American Revolutionary War Facts, Original Text of Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. For nearly three centuries, Hartford County was the center of government in the region, until 1960 when Connecticut abolished county government. The colony was instrumental in the American Revolution and was the fifth state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788. U.S. states and territories facts and photos. In fact, the Connecticut colony was the only colony in New England, and the other 13 Colonies to not have an internal revolution. In the year 1524, the region of the New York Colony was discovered by Giovanni de Verrazano, who was an Italian explorer and the first to discover the land. In 1776 Connecticuts representatives signed the Declaration of Independence along with representatives from the other American colonies. He is the only individual to have held the position of governor of both colonies. Did you know why Connecticut became known as the Provision State? 1. It was colder if you compare it with other colonies. Its capital is Hartford, and its most populous city is Bridgeport.Historically, the state is part of New England as well as the tri . 1. Its three bordering statesareNew York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The following information is provided for citations. The Puritans dominated Connecticut colony. In 1662, Governor John Winthrop Jr. was able to secure a charter from King Charles II, which authorized the colony and gave it the authority to merge with New Haven. Nathan Hale Hale was an officer in the Continental Army and rose to prominence during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. Once it was dark candles were lit, however unbeknown to Andros the colonists had devised a plan to take the charter. Recipients of the Charter The charter was granted to Winthrop, John Mason, Samuel Wyllys, Henry Clarke, Matthew Allyn, John Tapping, Nathan Gold, Richard Treat, Richard lord, Henry Wolcott, John Talcott, Daniel Clarke, John Ogden, Thomas Wells, Obadiah Bowed, John Clerke, Anthony Hawkins, John Deming, and Matthew Camfeild. Vermont ranks almost last for population. The name "chrysanthemum" is from the ancient Greek "chrysos" (gold) and "anthemon" (flower), The collection once belonged to neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing, who preserved the brains from 19031932. Connecticut was involved in several pivotal battles during the war, including the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Battle of Saratoga, and the Battle of Yorktown. 7. Connecticut is nicknamed the Constitution State because The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut first adopted in 1639, served as a model for the U.S. Constitution. Fun Facts about Connecticut State's Geography. The Connecticut Colony climate was the same as the other New England Colonies which included long cold winters and mild summers. [10], 25. During the 17th century, the Connecticut Colony experienced rapid expansion and prosperity, which led to King Charles II granting the colony a royal charter in the year 1662. Hartford, the states capital is called the Insurance Capital of the World. As the colony grew and flourished, the economy shifted to produce for distant markets, and the colony became an important center of trade and business in the region. Andros railed against the colonists who denied that they had done anything. In 1636. Hooker was born in England and traveled to Massachusetts in 1633, during the Puritan Migration.